Education News for 05-21-2013

State Education News

• Legislature may ditch takeover proposal for Columbus schools (Columbus Dispatch)

As hearings start this week on a Columbus school-district reform bill, an earlier proposal allowing for a state takeover of the state’s largest district is likely to vanish…Read more...

Local Education News

• North Canton school officials take steps to increase building security (Akron Beacon Journal)

The Board of Education has approved the purchase of digital radios and antennas as part of a district-wide safety and security initiative…Read more...

• Akron board cuts Akron Digital Academy loose (Akron Beacon Journal)

The Akron school board effectively severed ties with Akron Digital Academy — after sponsoring the online charter school for more than a decade…Read more...

• A look inside the future of education (Cincinnati Enquirer)

In a new building just outside of Indianapolis’ downtown, Darren McCorkle sits at a desk in a sea of short-walled cubicles, taking an eighth-grade algebra lesson online…Read more...

• Teachers negotiating (Findlay Courier)

Contract negotiations between Findlay's teacher union and the district administration are progressing smoothly, according to Superintendent Dean Wittwer…Read more...

• Lorain City Schools' staff looks to change culture of low expectations (Lorain Morning Journal)

Lorain City Schools’ staff has developed a “widespread culture of low expectations” but hope is budding among employees under its new administration, a state assessment determined…Read more...

• Lots of changes in Warren district (Marietta Times)

The Warren Local school district will look very different next year with a new superintendent, new high school and elementary administrators and the return of high school busing…Read more...

• Boardman schools official warns of 5% cut in funding (Youngstown Vindicator)

The Boardman schools director of instruction said she expects a 5 percent cut in funding next year for the four federal programs for which the school district receives money…Read more...

Editorial

• Dollars in the classroom (Akron Beacon Journal)

State Sen. Peggy Lehner wants to devote an additional $100 million to early childhood education in Ohio. The Kettering Republican cites the handsome return, $10 or more for every dollar spent…Read more...

• Added scrutiny of charter schools in city and state is overdue, but finally coming (Youngstown Vindicator)

State and local education leaders are committing themselves to beefed-up monitoring of Ohio’s ballooning network of charter schools…Read more...

Education News for 05-20-2013

State Education News

• Glitches follow switch from paper to computer testing (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Students aren’t the only ones nervous about state testing. Very public computer glitches plaguing online testing in several states in recent weeks are making educators and state leaders…Read more...

• Charter tax plan raises questions (Columbus Dispatch)

A proposed state law singles out Columbus City Schools taxpayers to shoulder part of the tax burden for charter schools even though thousands of Franklin County’s charter-school students live in suburban school districts…Read more...

• Reading help on the way for Columbus kindergartners (Columbus Dispatch)

Most children who came to kindergarten in Columbus schools without knowing the ABCs, which way to hold a book or other important early-reading skills remained behind when they reached third grade…Read more...

• Former state education official pleads guilty to possessing child porn (Columbus Dispatch)

A fired state education official has pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of possession of child pornography…Read more...

• Lorain Academic Distress Commission meets (Lorain Morning Journal)

The Lorain Academic Distress Commission will see a draft of the district’s academic improvement plan Monday, along with data on how the schools operate…Read more...

Local Education News



• Local revenue increases without ballot requests becoming more common for schools (Chillicothe Gazette)

For two decades, Licking Valley Local Schools have not gone to the ballot to ask for more money — but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t taken more from local taxpayers…Read more...

• CHCA continues to broaden international student program (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Many foreign students study abroad in high school for a year or two as exchange students. At Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, most stay for its entirety…Read more...

• Sheriff won’t support school levies unless districts look at armed personnel (Dayton Daily News)

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones declared this week that he “won’t support a school levy again that doesn’t address school safety with armed personnel…Read more...

• Beavercreek schools face money crisis in 2015 (Dayton Daily News)

Without any changes, the Beavercreek City School District would start the 2015 fiscal year with $5.2 million in the bank, not enough to open the schools for 2015/16 school year…Read more...

• Gadgets growing on local schools: Even youngest of pupils getting involved (Lima News)

Temple Christian sixth-grader Anna Acklin spent this year using a school-issued iPad in class and at home. She considered herself lucky, until learning kindergartners at her school will get iPad Minis…Read more...

• Here's who wasn't picked; Lorain Academic Distress Commission candidates uncovered (Lorain Morning Journal)

The names of seven candidates for the local appointments to Lorain’s Academic Distress Commission have been uncovered through an investigation by the Morning Journal…Read more...

• Lorain County school leaders oppose expansion of voucher program (Lorain Morning Journal)

Lorain County’s school superintendents, as well as administrators from Sandusky City Schools, are speaking out against a proposed expansion to a state voucher program…Read more...

• Despite hurdles local ballot issues face, system unlikely to change (Mansfield News Journal)

For six consecutive times, West Muskingum Local Schools had gone to the voters seeking additional financial support only to be rejected…Read more...

• Stepp files lawsuit against Medina Board of Education (Sun Newspapers)

Medina City School District superintendent Randy Stepp has made good on a threat to take the district to court, filing a lawsuit against the board of education and other district officials in federal court…Read more...

• Eager for education (Youngstown Vindicator)

The 2013 graduates of the Youngstown Early College didn’t talk as much about all the good times they had in high school as about their journeys, and how tough it was staying the course…Read more...

Editorial

• A promise to our kids (Columbus Dispatch)

A bill pending in the Ohio House that would tweak some provisions of Ohio’s third-grade reading guarantee would make the program more workable for schools without undermining its intent…Read more...

Education News for 05-17-2013

State Education News

• Legislature could require Columbus school levy to support charters (Columbus Dispatch)

After a mayoral education commission recommended sharing Columbus schools’ property- tax dollars with charters, two lawmakers introduced a bill yesterday requiring that such a levy go before district voters…Read more...

• Educators, legislators aren’t on same page on Ohio school reforms (Columbus Dispatch)

A survey of more than half of Ohio school superintendents revealed, with few exceptions, a wide gap between themselves and legislators…Read more...

• Legislator’s plan would provide preschool vouchers for 22,000 (Columbus Dispatch)

A Senate Republican leader on education policy wants to create a $100 million voucher program over the next two years to allow thousands…Read more...

• Brookfield schools unsure of fiscal future (Youngstown Vindicator)

The state auditor’s office said the district will face fiscal emergency even if a school levy is certified as passed…Read more...

Local Education News

• BYOD program makes learning fun (Lorain Morning Journal)

Usually students are discouraged from bringing electronic devices into the classroom. The fifth grade classes at Ely Elementary School in Elyria, though, are encouraged to bring their iPhones, iPads…Read more...

• Avon Lake schools put new student safety plan into motion (Lorain Morning Journal)

In light of recent school shootings, students and staff at Avon Lake schools have a new safety plan in place to ward off intruders and bullies…Read more...

• Bedford Schools to lay off 14 to 17 teachers, educators (Toledo Blade)

The Bedford Public Schools will send layoff notices to 15 teachers and other educators for the next school year to help close a persistent operating deficit. The board of education authorized the potential pink slips…Read more...

Editorial

• Lack of a guarantee (Akron Beacon Journal)

Beginning next school year, with a few exceptions, Ohio third-graders who are unable to read at a level specified by the state will not be promoted to fourth grade…Read more...

• Partners for change (Akron Beacon Journal)

The Cleveland school district is making itself a showcase of how to go about transforming a school system. Last week, the district and its teachers union unveiled a tentative…Read more...

Education News for 05-15-2013

State Education News

• Legislators try to combat school-standards rumors (Columbus Dispatch)

Tom Gibbs has reluctantly watched conservative commentator Glenn Beck and is up to speed on the criticisms of the new Common Core…Read more...

• Columbus school district’s staffs being interviewed a 2nd time (Columbus Dispatch)

State investigators started a second round of interviews with dozens of teachers at most of the Columbus school district’s high schools yesterday…Read more...

• School board urged not to arm teachers (Newark Advocate)

Top state law enforcement officials urged members of Ohio’s state school board Tuesday not to support arming untrained teachers with guns in response to recent school shootings…Read more...

• School board members hear ideas on school safety, but seem to be rejecting arming teachers (Ohio Public Radio)

School safety was the top topic for the state board of education, which hoped to learn about how to make buildings, staff and students more secure…Read more...

• Brookfield in fiscal emergency (Warren Tribune Chronicle)

The Brookfield Local School District is in a state of fiscal emergency, according to a report released Tuesday by Auditor of State Dave Yost…Read more...

• State Board Hears Ways To Boost School Safety (WBNS)

Ohio’s top law enforcers addressed members of the state school board as it considers how to best update its school safety polices…Read more...

Local Education News

• Cleveland school board OKs new teachers contract (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

The Cleveland school board Tuesday night approved a groundbreaking contract with its teachers, while also picking a new home for district offices…Read more...

• No one told teachers they would lose jobs (Columbus Dispatch)

Less than two weeks before the May 7 election, Groveport Madison schools announced $2 million in cuts if voters turned down…Read more...

• Treasurer’s mistake cuts up to $1.5M off Jonathan Alder’s budget (Columbus Dispatch)

Officials in the Jonathan Alder school district in Madison County don’t know how much money they have to operate on next school year…Read more...

• Lorain School Board hears high school update, approves busing contract (Lorain Morning Journal)

The new Lorain High School has stayed within budget during its design development phase and few changes have happened since the initial design…Read more...

• Lorain City Schools reassessing its 'Success for All' reading program (Lorain Morning Journal)

Lorain City Schools is reevaluating its “Success For All” reading program and could switch to a new system by next year…Read more...

• Some Youngstown school principals to be in new posts (Youngstown Vindicator)

Some positions are being reshuffled to align with the new city school building configuration…Read more...

Education News for 05-14-2013

State Education News

• Schools, city look for millions in BWC rebates (Columbus Dispatch)

The city of Columbus could get at least $5.4 million and Columbus City Schools about $1.9 million under Gov. John Kasich’s proposal…Read more...

• Plan would return $113M to Ohio schools, cities (Marion Star)

Ohio communities and schools would share almost $113 million in rebates from the state’s workers’ compensation fund should a proposal from Gov. John Kasich be approved…Read more...

• Schools fared "better than normal" in special election, even though many had losses (Ohio Public Radio)

Voters across the state headed to the polls yesterday to make decisions about all kinds of levies – including almost 140 school issues…Read more...

Local Education News



• No interim chief on the horizon for Columbus schools (Columbus Dispatch)

The Columbus Board of Education has no idea who will take over the $1.3 billion-a-year…Read more...

• Fifth-graders have a blast while learning (Mansfield News Journal)

Fifth-graders at Hannah Crawford Elementary are learning math, language arts, science and social studies skills in a unique way…Read more...

Editorial

• Yet another tale of a looted charter school shows that better fiscal safeguards (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

The Cuyahoga County prosecutor has it right, for the last six years, an in-house den of thieves has stolen nearly $2 million from a Cleveland charter school for teen dropouts…Read more...

Education News for 05-013-2013

State Education News

• School boards to review 5-year forecasts (Chillicothe Gazette)

Taking a look ahead at the next five years is a common theme of area school board activity this week…Read more...

• Cleveland school district, Cleveland Teachers Union revamp salary system (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

A tentative contract negotiated by the Cleveland school district and Cleveland Teachers Union throws out "step" raises based on years of experience…Read more...

• City schools requiring password changes (Columbus Dispatch)

The Columbus school district soon will require employees to regularly change their passwords to access computerized student data…Read more...

• Taxpayers will soon be able to go online to see how the state is spending money (Ohio Public Radio)

Taxpayers will soon be able to go online to see how the state is spending money. Ohio Public Radio’s Jo Ingles reports on a new database being developed by state leaders…Read more...

• Charter schools in Youngstown need improvement (Youngstown Vindicator)

The chairwoman of the Youngstown Schools Academic Distress Commission is waging what she calls a one-woman crusade to ensure all students…Read more...

Local Education News

• School officers take a hit in city budget (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Cincinnati Public Schools officials were surprised by a proposal to remove police resource officers from schools and to put those officers on city streets to replace laid-off police officers…Read more...

• Noxious ‘crush’ sites plague area high schools (Columbus Dispatch)

Like a digital sleepover game, the Twitter account encouraged Pickerington students to share a secret crush under the cover of online anonymity. And the first nine posts played along…Read more...

• Charter school for troubled students calling it quits (Columbus Dispatch)

A Columbus charter school that serves troubled students in grades 6-9 will close at the end of this school year…Read more...

• Wind Power Cuts Ohio Schools' Electric Bills (WBNS)

Two northwest Ohio school districts say wind power is reducing their electricity bills and adding new learning tools for math and science…Read more...